Editor's Note: To view the activity sheet for this lesson plan as well as how this lesson plan appears in print, download this PDF file.

This lesson plan, excerpted from the entry designed for sixth graders by Leonila Thelma C. Liberato of Davao City, makes use of Philippine Daily Inquirer editorial cartoons.

Overview

Newspaper editorial cartoons can be an effective, valuable resource material for teaching and learning in the classroom. Like the editorial, it is a permanent feature of the editorial page, it expresses comments on current issues and it seeks to influence public opinion.

This lesson will focus on the use of editorial cartoons in developing critical thinking skills among students. The class will be made to interpret and evaluate information shown in the cartoons and discuss it. In the course of their discussion, the students will be able to reflect on their different viewpoints and contradictions. The humor of cartoons also contributes to group interaction.

Objective

Interpret and evaluate information in editorial cartoons.

Materials

Clippings of editorial cartoons from the Inquirer?s Opinion section, teacher resource sheets, activity sheets, Manila paper, sheets of paper, marking pens, masking tape

Procedure

I. Motivation and review

1. Ask the class the following questions: How many of you read the newspaper? Which section do you read first? Why?

2. Review the parts/sections of a newspaper.

II. Lesson proper

Explain to the class that editorial or political cartoons express opinions on public issues. They are readily accessible, appearing in every major newspaper in the world (and in many local and regional papers, as well) and appeal to all levels of readers. The people who draw these cartoons possess a special skill that often incorporates caricatures, symbolism, satire, and a well-rounded understanding of the issues about which they draw.

A. Using one cartoon for the entire class

1. Post on the board an enlarged copy of an editorial cartoon (see editorial cartoon 1).

2. Divide the class into groups of six students.

3. Distribute Student Activity Sheet 1 to each group.

4. Instruct the groups to interpret and analyze the posted cartoon as to the issue presented, symbols used, the newspaper?s opinion and their own opinion about the issue.

5. Ask representatives from each group to present their outputs.

6. Process the activity by asking: What insight did you get from the activity?

B. Using a different cartoon for each group

1. Form the students into eight groups.

2. Distribute Student Activity Sheet 2 and a different editorial cartoon to each group (see editorial cartoons 2-4).

3. Instruct the groups to interpret and analyze the cartoons and answer the questions on the activity sheet.

4. Ask representatives to present their outputs to the class.

5. Process the activity by asking: How did you come up with your answers?

C. Individual writing

1. Using the same cartoon used in the previous activity, instruct students to take another close look at the cartoon.

2. Ask them to articulate their thoughts in one paragraph.

3. Collect outputs to be inserted in their portfolio.

III. Evaluation/extension

Ask the students to make their own editorial cartoon based on any issue confronting the country today.

Activity Sheet 1

Directions: Interpret and analyze the cartoon by filling in the chart below.

Issue
Symbols used
Paper?s opinion
My own opinion

Activity Sheet 2

Directions: Interpret and analyze the cartoons. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the cartoon saying?

2. What other interpretations may be made from this cartoon?

3. What symbols are used?

4. Who are the characters?

5. What is suggested about the context of the cartoon?

6. Do you agree/disagree with what the cartoon is saying? Why/ Why not?